AN American couple, who for many years lived near Devizes, are back in Wiltshire preparing for a 750km walk to raise money for charity.

Nancy and Mark Reilly, who renovated and lived in a mill at West Lavington, are taking part in the Camino de Santiago de Compostello to raise funds for the Nestling Trust.

The couple, who now teach English in Asia, will be leaving West Lavington next week ready for the start of the walk on April 8 and their epic challenge. Mrs Reilly said: "We have been friends with the director of the charity, Sue Hamblin, for many years. Every penny of the money will go toward building a home in Nepal for 20 street children. This is going to be a real home with properly trained, loving staff.

"My husband and I lived in England for 13 years and in West Lavington for nine years. We lived in and restored Mill Farm, in the village. We are now English teachers and have been working the past two years in south east Asia for charities which provide education to third world children free of charge."

The couple will be joined for one week of the hike by close friend Anji Scofield who lives in West Lavington. They are determined to reach their £2,000 fundraising target as they know it will make a real difference to the lives of children in Nepal.

Mrs Reilly said: "All children deserve love, security, and a warm, safe place to sleep at night. In Nepal, that is often not the case. In Kathmandu, for example, children live in the city dump.

"There is no health care for these kids. The route to survival is often through human trafficking, prostitution and crime, with drugs to dull the pain.

"Mark and I are donating two months to walk the distance. We will start at St. Jean Pied de Port, France, on April 8 and will finish by June 7 at Santiago de Compostela in Spain. As little as £1.50 will buy a blanket to help furnish the home and keep a child warm at night against the freezing Nepal winters."

During their time living in West Lavington, where they still have many friends, they volunteered at Erlestoke Prison looking after children when families visited and also fostered Chernoble children who visited Wiltshire to receive medical care.

Mrs Reilly said: "We will finish the walk, if we have to crawl."

To find out more go to their Compostello or Bust page at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/nancychristmanreilly1